Hydraulic clamp.



No. 856,416. PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

A. P. MOLARTY. HYDRAULIC CLAMP.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 11) 190'5.

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No. 856,416. PATENTED JUNE l1, 190'7 A P MOLARTY HYDRAULIC CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 11, 190s.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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No. 856,416. PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907, A. P. MOLARTY.

HYDRAULIC CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 11. 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

43 47 48 26 Wvee@ Zzzjenorf @M1 7% m J- No.856,416. PATENTED JUNE A. P. MULARTY. 111907 HYDRAULIC CLAMP. APPLIOATION FILED DB0. 11. 1905.

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N0. 856.416. PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907. A P MGLAR'IY HYDRAULIC CLAMP.

APPLIOATION FILBDDEO. 11, 1905.

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wwf@ 7% im ymfmg Jf/W stringere I lay loosely a beam 7, which I call an abutment beam, and on the farther side of this abutment beam from the head end beam I place on top of each Stringer an abutment block 8, and loosely through these blocks I extend a rod 9, which extends through the blocks transversely to the length of the stringers, and parallel with the head end beam. To this rod 9, I secure a yoke shaped staple 10, at each abutment block 8, arranging the ends of the staples to surround the lower edge of each abutment block, and to be securely keyed to the rod while the yoke or loop of each staple hangs down and surrounds and slides loosely along the bed stringers. The end of the loop or yoke is made to fit freely into the notches along the lower edges of the stringers, and when the staples are tilted forward toward the head end beam, and the abutment blocks are drawn backward toward the free ends of the stringers, the loop ends of the staples catch in the notches and lock the abutment blocks rigidly to the stringers. It is necessary, however, in operating the machine that all of these abutment blocks be locked across the stringers exactly at right angles to them, and parallel to the head end block, and also that they be all moved or shifted together along the stringcrs. I accomplish this by securing to the rod 9, a lever 11, which I also either provide with a weight or make heavy enough to act as a weight and secure it to extend rearwardly of the rod, so that its weight will normally hold the staples inclined at a forward downward angle in a position to enable its loop end to readily engage the notches of the stringers. I preferably secure this lever centrally between the first two stringers from the end of the clamp, at which the water controlling valve and lever Aare placed, in order to be handy for the 'operator. The lever is pivotally secured to a hub 12, which is rigidly attached tothe rod centrally between the stringers, the inner end of the lever being formed with a yoke 13, which is pivotally secured to the hub by screws or pins 14, which form trunnions for the ends of the yoke and thus permit the lever to be swung laterally between the two stringers. An arm 7A, is secured to the under side of the abutment beam 7, and extends rearwardly adjacent to the lever 11, its outer end being formed with a right angled member, which extends toward the lever. N ow when the lever is raised to throw the yokes 10, out

of engagement with the notches in the under edges of the stringers, the yokes may be held in this position by moving the lever to one side so that it may rest upon the arm 7A. To the head end beam, I secure a plurality of hydraulic cylinders 15, perferably employing as many cylinders as there are bed stringers in a machine, placing each cylinder in direct longitudinal alinement with each Stringer, so that the pressure of each cylinder will be in direct longitudinal alinement with its respective stringer and against its abutment block.

In each cylinder, I mount a suitable hydraulic piston head 17, which is provided with a cupped washer 18, of leather or rubber or any other suitable material, and a follower 19, vwhich is secured to the head by a bolt 20, and is arranged in such a manner as to clamp the cupped washer to the head. The cupped washer forms a packing ring around the piston head that is arranged to fit tightly but slidably in the cylinder. A piston rod 21, is secured to the piston head, and extends through the front cylinder head 22. A rear cylinder head 23, is also secured to the cylinder in any suitable manner. The piston rod of each cylinder projects slidably through the front cylinder head of its respective cylinder, and extends to a cross bar 24, that I call the push bar. This lies slidably on top of the stringere, and the two piston rods at the opposite ends of the frame are secured to the push bar, preferably by a cap screw bolt 25, which is screwed into the end of the piston from the opposite side of the bar, the head of which is countersunk into the push bar. The intermedial piston rods have square ends, and they bear against the side of the bar. This arrangement prevents any twisting or torsional strains on the push bar, which is carried by the two end cylinders to and from the glued work, and permits the intermediate pistons to have independent freedom of reciprocative action in exerting pressure against the push bar` and glued work and in retreating from them.

To the front cylinder head of each cylinder, I connect a drip pipe 26, each pipe connecting with a general waste pipe 27. These drip pipes and the waste pipe are arranged and adapted to convey the water that leaks past the cupped packing ring into the front end of the cylinder to waste, or to a reservoir or tank for re-use.

To vthe front end of each of the front cylinder heads, I connect a water inlet nipple 28, and to the nipple of each cylinder head, I

connect a quick-closing valve 29, which is operated by a lever 29A, and to each valve a short depending pipe 30, which pipes connect to a common water supply pipe 31 that extends along all the cylinders, and at one end connects to a source of water under pressure, such as a city water pressure, or to a pump and storage tank, the pump being arranged to draw water from the storage tank and provide the water pressure, which may be accomplished by pumping directly into the pipes or into a storage receiver, where the water is kept under pressure, the water supply pipe being connected directly to the water receiver. I preferably' use a pump, and connect it to a supply of water in IOO IIO

a well er tank, and pump into a storage receiver, where the water is kept under pressure, connecting the end el the supply pipe to the storage receiver. A general water supply pipe 32, is connected to the pipe 3l, by a three-way valve 33, which is operated by a lever Se, and between the three-way valve and the lir st water c vlinder the pipe 31 is provided with a pressureeregulating valve 35. The remaining side or the three-way valve connects with a return pipe 35A, and the general supply pipe has a valve 35B, by which the supply ol' water may be cut ol'll when desired. ln Fig. 1, the three-way valve is turned to allow the water :from the general supply to enter the. cylinders, through the common supply pipe 31, and vertical pipes 30, the return pipe being cut out, but when the operating lever 34, is turned in the direction of the arrow, and at right angles to its present position, the supply is cut oil, and

' the water from the cylinders passes back through pipe Si, through the three-way valve, and out through the return pipe. One er more of the levers 29A, of the cylinder valves, may be pivotally attached to a herizontal connecting rod 35C, one end of which is iiivotally attached to a hand lever 35D, which is pivoted at its lower end to a bracket secured to the floor, the lever being within convenient reach of the attendant, and by moving this lever in the proper direction the water supply is cut oil from the cylinders which are connected with it, vlor a purpose to be hereinafter described. The opposite terminal end of the water supply pipe Sl, extends to the last cylinder, and a reducer is connected to it, from which a small pipe extends to a pressure gage 36, which is placed in sight et the operator of the hydraulic clamp. The various valves and levers are located atthe end ol' the machine at which the operator works when inserting and withdrawing the glued work, the end selected depending on the position and surroundings of the machine in the planing mill in which it is placed, consequently, these valves are within easy reach of the operator when standing at this end ot the machine. The opposite end of the water return pipe leads to the well or supply tank, from which the pump takes its supply. The water return pipe conveys the waste water from all el the cylinders back to its source of supply, when the water pressure is cut o'l'l', after work has been subjected to pressure, and the glue is dry, as will be explained 'fully hereinafter.

The water pressure moves the pistons on their Jforward strokes only, in their respective cylinders, and while l could arrange the Water pressure to move the pistons on their backward stroke, l. preferably use a counterweight, which l arrange in the following manner: To the push bar 24, between each pair of stringers, I secure one ot' the ends of a lwire cord or chain 37, which extend back l over pulleys 3S, that are pivotally mounted on the head end beam, and down through holes in the beam, and to their opposite ends l secure a heavy bar or beam 3), which is long enough to extend across from the `lirst to the last cord. Thus when the water pressure is shut oil:l `from the cylinders, the weight of this bar pulls the push bar back, and it pushes the piston rods and pistons back into the cylinders, and lorces the water out of the cylinders through the same pipes and valves by which it entered, as has been previously described.

The cylinders are all arranged so any one or two or three of them, may be cut oil' from the water pressure when it is desired to use it on the balance, which is desirable when doors or wooden pieces are to be glued together that are shorter than the length of the machine, in which case only enough cylinders are used to extend the pressure throughout the length of the work to be glued. Consequently, all the cylinders may he cut oil' by closing their valves, except one or two or more, as the work requires, while the water pressure would [low to and operate the other. In Figs. 5, 6, and 7, l illustrate a dill'erent style of my improved hydraulic clamp than that shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4. This style ell machine embodies all of the essential licatures ol the horizontal style, which are a hydraulic cylinder with suitable water controlling inlet and discharge pipes and valve, a bed plate upon which the work to be glued is4 laid, an adjustable abutment member, and a suitable Vframe adapted to support these members in a vertical position. This frame consists of the two opposite standards 41 and 42, which are secured at their' l'loor ends to a cross piece 43, that is wide enough to `form a bed plate, and which is secured to the lloor, and at their upper ends the standards are connected together by a cross brace 44. The cylinder 45, is mounted on the bed plate, and is provided with a Vllanged cylinder head 46, that is bolted to the bed plate. This cylinder is provided with a water inlet pipe 47, and water discharge pipe 4S, which connect together close to the cylinder, a three-way valve 49, being inserted in them at their `junction. The cylinder` is also provided with a piston rod and head, the same as the cylinder in the horizontal style7 and to the end of the piston a [lat square shaped table 48A, is secured, the opposite sides of which are provided with recesses that lit loosely over the adjacent edges of the vertical standards, which act as slideways l'or the table as it is moved up and down by the reciprocal movements oi" the piston. This table, while it is et dillferent shape from the push bar ol the horizontal clamp, performs the same function, as it applies the pressure of the piston to the work, and at thesame time acts as the IOO IIO

supporting table of the machine. this table I place an abutment plate 48B, which 1s of the same size as the table, and is slidably positioned between the standards, the edges of which extend into recesses in two of its opposite sides. The center of this abutment plate is provided with a hub 49A, which is secured to a cross head 50, which consists of two parallel bars that are secured to the hub of the plate, the opposite ends of which extend over and slide on the adjacent sides of the standards. Both standards are provided with a vertical row of pin holes 5l, in which pins 52, are inserted above the cross head to hold the abutment plate in adjusted positions. Adjacent to the opposite ends oi' the cross bars of the cross head, I place two pins 53, to which l secure the opposite ends of a bail 54, the center of which is connected to a hook or loop that forms one end of a rope 55, the opposite end of which extends over a pulley 56, that is pivotally attached to the ceiling, and is attached to a weight 57. l/Vhile this weight and the ropes and abutment plate are of different construction from the abutment bar and ratchet and loops and locking lever of the horizontal machine, they nevertheless perform the same functions and are consequently equivalent to that mechanism.

In Figs. S, 9, and 10, l have applied my invention to another form of clamp, comprising two independent clamps, which are arranged to be used in unison, when very long boards are to be glued, or independently, when shorter boards are to be glued. Upon a suitable foundation is secured a plurality of the water cylinders, preferably four, and these cylinders are all connected at their lower ends by supply pipes 58, 58A and 58B, and at their upper ends by a return pipe 59. These cylinders are similar to those illustrated in the other forms of this invention, and to the upper ends of the pistons of each pair of cylinders is secured a bed plate 60. Standards 61, of any desired height, are secured to the floor, and extend upward on each side of the two bed plates. These standards are located at points on a line with the axial centers of the cylinders, so that there are a pair of oppositely positioned standards for each cylinder. The standards on one side are connected at their upper ends by side strips 62, and each oppositely arranged pair are connected by cross braces 63. Abutment plates 64, of the same size and shape as the bed plates, are supported above the bed plates and between the standards, by bails, to which cables are secured that pass over pulley wheels, and are provided at their free ends with counter-balancing weights the same as is shown in Fig. 5. The standards are notched on their outer edges as shown at 65, Fig. l0, and the abutment plates are held at a given point against upward movement in Above site ends to the opposite ends of a rock arm 69, secured to a rock shaft 70, which is supported by the bars 66. The rock shaft is provided with lever 7l, by which it is rocked to throw the yokes out of engagement with the notches of the standards. The abutment plates are raised or lowered to the desired position, by cords or cables 72, which are suitably attached to the plates, and to spools 73, on the ends of a rod 74, which is supported in bearings or brackets 75, attached to the cross bars or braces of the standard frame. One end of the rod is provided with a crank handle 76, and the rod is further provided with a ratchet wheel 77, which is engaged by a pawl 7 S, so that the abutment plate will be prevented from slipping down, when the upward pressure, excited by the bed plate, is removed, as when glued material is being removed from between the plates. The water cylinders or jacks may' all be operated at once, or each pair, which operate the separate bed plates, may be operated separately, and to accomplish this the following arrangement of pipes and valves is employed: The pipe 58A, connecting the two inner cylinders, is provided with a cut-oli'l valve 79, and the pipes 5S and 58B, connecting the outer cylinders with the adjacent inner cylinder, are provided with tees S0, to which are connected short pipes S1 and 82 respectively, provided with threeway quick closing valves 83 and 84, which connect with a water inlet pipe 85, and with a return pipe, 86, the latter having a cut-off valve S7. Now, when it is desired to operate all of the cylinders at once, the valve 87 in the return pipe is closed, valve 79 opened, and valve S4, turned to connect the inlet pipe with the cylinder pipes 58B, the valve S3, being closed to the inlet pipe. The water will then enter through the valve 84, and pass in to all the cylinders, through pipes 58B, 58A, and 58, and when the valve 84 is reversed, the water will pass from the cylinders back through these pipes and the valve 84, to the return pipe 86. When it is desired to use either pair of cylinders independently of the other pair, the valve 87, in the return pipe is opened, andthe valve 79, between the two inner cylinders closed; then either the valve 83 or 84, as may be desired, may be turned to connect the water supply with the adjacent pair of cylinders, the valve IOO IIO

f for turning the rod to disengage the yokes from the notches, and an abutment which rests against the stops 5 a follower at the opposite end of the frame a series of hydraulic cylinders having plungers which operate said follower in one direction, and a weight for returning it to its normal position, and means for delivering Water under pressure to each cylinder independently of the others or to all the cylinders in unison. n

5. In a clamp for the purpose specified, a series of horizontal bars supported at each end, and provided 'with notches upon their under edges, movable stops upon the bars, yoles which straddle the stops and bars and engage the notches a rod which passes 'through the several stops and yolies and 1s rigidly secured to the yokes, a lever secured to the rod by which the rod may be turned to disengage the yokes from the notches, and an abutment which rests against the stops; a follower, a series of hydraulic cylinders having plungers for operating the follower, two or more of which are secured to the follower while the remaining plungers are not secured thereto; valved inlet pipes for the cylinders, which are connected with a valved supply pipe, and means whereby the water may be admitted to all the cylinders at once, or to one or more cylinders independently of the others.

6. ln a clamp for the purpose specied, the combination with a frame, an adjustable abutment on the frame, a follower a series of hydraulic cylinders having plungers which move the follower in one direction, and valved inlet pipes which are connected with a common supply pipe, of means for supplying the cylinders independently or in unison, comprising a general supply pipe, a return pipe, and a three-way valve, which is connected with the cylinder supply pipe, the general supply pipe, and the return pipe independent levers connected to one or more of the cylinder inlet pipe valves, a rod connecting the said levers, and a hand lever for operating the said rod, whereby one or more of the cylinders may be cut out, and cords attached at one end to the follower, and vwhich extend back over pulleys and connect to a co unter-b alan cing w eight.

7. In a clamp for the purpose specified, the combination of a frame, having notched bars; a follower a series of hydraulic cylinders having plungers which operate the follower in one direction, and a weight for returning it to its normal position means for operating the cylinders independently or in unison, an adjustable abutment; stops which limit the movement of the abutment; yokes which straddle the notched bars and normally engage the notches thereof g a rod which passes through the stops and yolies and is rigidly secured to the yokes, a Weighted lever, rigid upon the rod axially, but adapted to have a lateral swinging movement thereon, and an arm secured to the abutment adjacent to the weighted lever, the said lever being adapted to be lifted to turn the rod to free the yokes from the notches, and to be swung to one side so as to rest upon the said arm when it is desired to hold the yokes in an inoperative position.

In testimony whereof l my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ARCHIE P. MGLARTY.

l/Vitnesses:

G. SARGENT ELLIOTT, J. OSCAR SwANsoN. 

